Somebody's Watching, Somebody's Waiting - Part 5
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 betas talos13 and femme_slash_fan
Part 5
As the sun begins to set, it casts a nice glow of orange, red and even a tint of purple onto the city, and the lights of traffic start to illuminate more. The traffic flow stops at a red light. Jennifer stares at the GPS on her vehicle to make sure she’s on the right route.
At the next red light, Jennifer pulls out her phone and gives Maggie a call, “Hey Maggie. Just calling to let you know I’ll be at your place in about 10 to 15 minutes. Okay, see you soon.”
Jennifer arrives at Maggie’s place in around that time frame. The blond agent takes out her phone again, “It’s me again. I’m parked just out in the front.”
“Okay I’ll be right out,” Maggie tells her on the other end of the line.
Jennifer rolls down the window and looks at the apartment complex. ‘Nice looking place,’ She thinks. She then sees Maggie stepping out of the place. She waves out of the window and calls out, “Over here.”
Maggie spots her and approaches the SUV. She smiles at Jennifer once inside, “Glad you could make it.”
“There wasn’t really anything better to do to be honest,” the blond agent admits. “So where’s this theater?”
“It’s the Pacific Capitan Theater downtown.”
Jennifer gets ready to type the coordinates into the GPS, “So what’s the address?”
“I’ll just guide you there,” Maggie answers.
“Or we can always do it that way.”
*****
Maggie and Jennifer sit beside each in the dark theater. The loud speakers are the only thing Maggie can hear, so she looks over to the side to see if Jennifer is enjoying the film. Still good so far.
Once the movie is over, the two blondes walk out of the screening room with their jackets over their arms. “I’m just wondering why you chose to see Red Eye out of all the movies here.” Jennifer asks.
They stop walking. “A friend of mine had extra tickets to see the movie and gave them to me. I wanted to take someone with me. Hope you’re not too disappointed Jennifer,” Maggie explains.
“Don’t worry about it,” Jennifer expresses. “I actually liked the film.”
“It was a pretty good movie wasn’t it?” Maggie admits. “And wasn’t that a nice way to end the film with Cynthia walking with Rachel McAdams, telling her she’s her hero?”
“Yeah that was cute.” The two of them look at each. “I guess I should be taking you home now,” Jennifer adds.
“Yeah let’s go.” The two of them continue to the parking lot.
*****
They get back and the SUV stops in front of Maggie’s home. “Thanks for the movie Maggie,” the blonde agent tells her.
“Thanks for coming.” Maggie unbuckles her seat belt, then leans in to hug Jennifer. “See you next time.”
Jennifer nods. She waits and watches Maggie until she steps into her apartment before driving off.
*****
The next morning Jennifer, Gideon, Morgan and Elle are in the station while Hotch and Reid are at the safe house with Lila. The press liaison spots Owen walking into the place with one of his arms in a sling.
Derek pats him on the other arm and greets him, “Welcome back man.”
“Good to be back,” he responds.
Once things have settled in, Owen rounds up the four BAU members and one of the lieutenants. “So what did we get while I was away?” Owen asks.
“Nothing,” Elle tells him bluntly. “Surprisingly no sign of the unsub yesterday.”
“Probably trying to find out where Lila is,” Derek suggests.
Owen looks at the police lieutenant, “Talk to me Ford, anyone trespassing on Lila’s property the other day?”
“Actually yes, that paparazzo Joe Martinez was caught near Lila’s home, and arrested the other morning by agents Greenaway and Morgan,” he answers.
“Well that will probably explain why the unsub was absent the other day,” Owen retorts.
“If Martinez is the unsub,” asserts Gideon.
Owen looks at Ford again, “Okay then, did you guys spot anyone spying at the safe house where Lila’s at?”
“None of my men saw anyone suspicious,” Ford informs him. “Only people that even gave the place a second look were folks that lived in the neighbourhood.”
“What about the bike the stalker was riding when I got shot?”
“There are too many sport bikes with a model similar to one the unsub was riding in the Los Angeles region alone,” Derek answers. “Sorry man.”
“Is Martinez out of booking now?”
“Yes he is,” Ford confirms.
“And are you guys keeping a close eye on him?”
“Yes we are,” he confirms again. “If he even leaves his home we’ll know about it.”
Owen focuses his attention on the profilers. “So what does your profile say this stalker is going to do next?”
Gideon starts to speak, “With Lila out of his sight, he’ll start to lose control and begin to panic. His rage and aggression will build up where he’ll either frantically try to locate her or begin taking his frustrations out on other people again.”
“Here’s hoping it’s not the second choice,” Owen remarks
“Hopefully his mental state will be enough that he gets less organized and begins leaving clues behind,” Elle explains.
“We also informed the public what qualities to look for in this unsub,” Jennifer adds. “If his behaviour becomes more noticeable, someone’s bound to spot him.”
“Alright, so whether it’s Martinez or not, all we have to do now is wait for this guy to show up again.”
*****
Later in the day Jennifer receives another call from Maggie, “Hello Maggie.”
“I’m wondering Jennifer, do you want to go out for lunch?”
“Well normally when I’m working on cases I get take out and head back to the police station.” Jennifer looks around the place and things are moving rather slowly. Elle is drawing a web on the whiteboard, trying to figure out something they don’t already know. Derek is going through the case files again. Gideon is chatting with Owen. The tension in the station seems more like the people working the case are just waiting for a call concerning the unsub. “But I wouldn’t call this normal. Where do you want to meet?”
*****
Jennifer and Maggie sit inside a Chinese restaurant. The blond agent swallows her noodles before wiping her mouth with a napkin. “You know I haven’t even known you for 48 hours yet and already you seem to be taking a liking to me.”
Maggie takes a drink of water, “Never be afraid to meet new people they say. That and you can tell me what’s happening with Lila if I ever get curious.”
“Ah yes the friend that’s under protection watch,” Jennifer comments. “Though I actually haven’t been to the safe house yet, I’d have to call someone to know the details.”
“You don’t have to do that now. It’s only been a day. I’m sure Lila’s doing fine.” Maggie takes a bite out of a fried shrimp.
*****
Jennifer looks at the names written on the dark marble sidewalk. “I wonder how many people’s names are on here?”
“Thousands,” Maggie answers. “However the Hollywood Walk of Fame isn’t as prestigious as they try to make it sound.”
“Is that right?”
“Yeah these names are all bought and paid for. I believe Ryan Seacrest got his star before Steven Spielberg or Harrison Ford did.”
Jennifer half-grins, “Hard to argue with that. Which place is it where actors place their hand and footprints in the sidewalk?”
“That’s Grauman’s Chinese Theatre,” the other blonde answers. “Do you think we’ll be able to have another night out?”
“You really like spending time with me!” she remarks.
“You’re a nice person to be around. Not the serious uptight breed that I picture most government agents to be like.”
“Yeah I know the type you’re talking about. We’ll see. I’ll call you if I’m free tonight.” Jennifer takes a look at her watch, “I should be heading back to the police station now.”
“Let’s go then.” Maggie and Jennifer walks to Maggie’s car.
*****
Over an hour after getting back to the station, the case still seems to be moving slowly. Every call that came in was about something that didn’t have any possible relation to the case. The profilers really look stumped over this one. This is what happens when they have too many potential suspects and too little evidence. Didn’t look like there was going to be much change, but Jennifer wanted to make sure it was alright before calling Maggie to give her the go-ahead.
The press liaison gets off her seat and approaches Gideon, “Hey is there anything you need me to handle?”
“That won’t be necessary,” he responds from the desk he’s sitting on. “We have more than enough people JJ.”
She crosses her arms, “Any press you want me sort out?”
“If any developments arise we’ll let you know JJ,” Gideon informs. “Just find something else to do in the meantime.”
“Will do,” the blonde responds.
She walks towards an empty office and closes the door behind her. A smirk forms on her face. Jennifer pulls out her cell phone and calls Maggie, “Hi Maggie. Looks like we’re good for tonight. So where do you have in mind this time?”
*****
Maggie and Jennifer are seated beside each other again, but outside this time. The night sky is visible in the background.
“I didn’t know these places were open all year round,” Jennifer comments.
“California basically only has one season, so it can’t be too much of a surprise,” replies Maggie.
“That’s true.”
They begin moving. The two of them are riding a roller coaster. It slowly travels uphill. The rest of the amusement park is starting to become visible the higher up they go. Jennifer looks over the side to the sight of city lights. The two women stare at one another. Maggie smiles at Jennifer then offers her hand. The agent sees they’re almost at the top of the hill, so she grabs onto Maggie’s hand and waits for the descent.
The rollercoaster plummets and the two women holler with excitement. Up and down more hills and through dark tunnels they go.
When the ride comes to a stop Maggie looks over to her side. Jennifer is quite a sight with her hair blown back. The agent looks back at Maggie and likes the way the blonde gazes at her with her cute smile and light blue eyes. Their safety restraints rise up and the two women notice they’re still holding onto each other’s hands.
They let go and Maggie is the first to rise up, “Okay let’s get out of here.”
The two of them stroll along the theme park pathway. Lights from stands and other rides shine behind them as they move past the crowd.
“You know this all feels kind of weird,” Jennifer tells the other woman. “I normally wouldn’t think about going out to enjoy myself until after a case is solved. And even then I’d probably just choose to go to a bar.”
“Do you like this new you?” Maggie asks.
Jennifer thinks about it then nods, “I’m definitely taking a liking to this, although sometimes I prefer things to be simpler.”
“Say what, you can pick what we do next time.”
*****
Maggie returns home. She looks up at the ceiling as she lies on her bed. ‘Don’t get too close to her, she’s FBI,’ the cautious part of her brain murmurs as she thinks about Jennifer. Maggie simply smiles.
Part 1
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Part 4
Part 6
Part 7
Part 8