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the-sara-voe · 3 years

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Chapter 4: A Familiar Face

Warning: This chapter contains descriptions of bodily trauma and dead bodies.

Masterlist

"Look, I love Kobe, what a legend, but Dwight Howard-"

"Stop", Alvez orders, gesturing to Sena, "You can't compare Kobe to Howard, it's like comparing an apple to a carrot".

"No! Hear me ou-"

"No".

Tusa struts into the conference room, pursing her lips and furring her brows at the debate, "What are you two doing"?

"She is trying to compare Bryant to Howard", Alvez stated, "Which you can't. They don't even play the same position. And they had a long-standing feud".

Sena's voice becomes full of defense, "First of all, yes they did not play the same position. Second, it was not a feud, it was more of a sibling rivalry. But what I am saying is Howard had and still has the potential to be as good as Kobe. If Howard just got on a team that kept him long enough for him to get comfortable he would be great".

The two of them kept bickering, while Tusa says under her breath, "I don't get basketball".

"What was that about basketball"? Reid said, taking his seat at the table.

Luke and Sena told Reid their stances, prompting him to say, "Actually Luke, I think I agree with Sena. Howard has been traded or drafted to several teams, probably making him lose a sense of self-control. Loss of self-control correlates to ego deprivation, which decreases performance and impacts response to other motivational conflicts, like disputes with teammates. Couple that with most professional sports players being alpha male personalities, and that testosterone increases during physical activity, disagreement is bound to happen".

Luke and Sena stare at Reid, watching as he takes a sip from his water bottle, "Also, Howard's efficiency score is only about one-point-zero-seven points lower than Kobe Bryant's, and he may still have some time to raise it. If Howard can gain more self-control and get longer contracts, he would probably be just as successful as Kobe".

Byun glances at a frustrated Luke, proceeding to taunt him. Tusa shakes her head while she pours herself some coffee. She felt a tap on her elbow, turning to see Reid leaning back in his seat, looking at her.

"What does the case look like"? Spencer asked, flicking his pen between his fingers. His hair is tightly woven around itself, and pokes up in various directions.

"Unnerving, as usual", she said, shooting him a bemused glance. She asks "You forget to brush your hair this morning"?

Reid adjusts his position, nervously running his fingers through it to subdue its appearance. He turns back and asks, “Is it better”?

"I’m giving you a crap Reid you look fine", she answered, chuckling, “Get some more sleep though, yeah”?

He nods as Rossi and Prentiss walk into the room with Simmons, prompting everyone to settle in. As Rossi pulls out his chair, Prentiss goes to speak.

"I have an announcement to make before we get to the case", Emily started, fiddling with her fingernails, jagged from being bitten. She looks around the room at her teammates, who have become family to her. Despite the heaviness in her chest, she has a lightness in her eyes. She is ready.

"I am resigning; soon".

The air in the room fills with multiple emotions. Some joyful, some upset, some anxious. But the most overwhelming of all is confusion.

"Why"? Byun posed, a bit glum.

"Because I was offered an amazing position", Prentiss admitted, sharing a heartfelt smile with Sena.

Prentiss shrugs before saying, "I have been offered to be the Director of the FBI", she pauses, finalizing in a sigh, "Please don't take it personally, I love you all so much".

"Emily this is incredible" Simmons announced, opening his arms in celebration, "Don't apologize, we're proud of you"!

The whole group stands from the table, heading toward Emily to embrace her in a hug, until she spouts, "No, no. We can do the 'goodbye' at Rossi's at the end of the month. I am still here for a few weeks. No sad faces, especially for your new Chief".

"Wait they're here"? Reid quizzed, his hands finding the pockets of his pants.

"Yes, and something tells me you'll like them", Emily said, glancing toward the hallway opening behind her.

The heaviness of the steps increases the team's anticipation. Everyone stares at the doorway, the clunking becoming louder. As the heels stall, the guest's figure fills the door frame. The man wore a black suit and a striped tie, well-tailored and ironed. Their hair is longer than some of them remember, but the smile they wore remains familiar.

"Hotch"! Reid announced, gleefully darting to Aaron Hotchner and embracing him in a hug.

Rossi and Prentiss chuckle, grinning at Spencer's reaction. However, the four of them are enjoying the reunion so much, they forget there are two faces that don't recognize Aaron.

"Hotch, this is our Tech Analyst, Tusajigwe Selemani", Rossi states, as Tusa and Aaron shake hands.

"Call me Tusa, sir".

"I have heard about you through colleagues of mine at the DA", Hotcher informs, releasing his hand from hers.

"You have"? She replied, with a tinge of wariness.

Aaron releases a nervous laugh before saying, "Yes. Only good things, you make quite a first impression, apparently".

Tusa relaxes into the atmosphere of the room. Hotchner, Simmons, and Alvez greet each other again, the last time seeing each other being Gracia's goodbye party. After some catch-up, Byun clears her throat, clearly a bit apprehensive.

Emily notices Sena's discomfort and says, "Oh, Hotch this is SSA Sena Byun. She specializes in crime scene analysis".

"You were a CSI"? Aaron posed.

Sena adjusts her forearms, leaning them on the round table, stating, "In Houston, yeah".

"Did you work on the Ackles Case"?

"I took 'em down".

Aaron cocks his head and furrows his brows, reminding her, "CSI's don't arrest suspects, usually".

Sena looks up at the man, nodding her head with pride. "Yes", she said.

Hotchner gave Prentiss an inquisitive look, suspecting that she hired Byun. Sena has the same ridiculous ambition as Emily.

"Alright, I don't want to rush us, but we do have a new case", Tusa announces, taking the front of the room.

After a few clicks of the remote, images appear on the monitor. Wrists and ankles have lines of navy and a band of blue spans across the stomaches of these two women. The fabric had grasped so much blood, their shirts and the sleep bags they rest in were indiscernible. Perhaps most frightening, however, lies under the stained fabric. Though the details are thin, it is not hard to decipher the cause of death. Hidden under the shirts, no more than a centimeter thick, are gaping holes in the stomach of the victims.

Tusa, clears her throat before speaking, "These two women are Romana Marckus, age 23, and Daniella Cortez, age 25. Romana was found four days ago, and Daniella just two days ago. Both of them were found in alleyways in Houston. It appears that the girls experienced blunt force trauma to the head, were bound, and inevitably...stabbed to death".

Sena scrolls through her tablet, a wise whistle leaving her lips, "Hometown, you once again do not disappoint".

"They were dumped in sleeping bags"? Rossi asked, scrolling through the photos on his tablet.

"Yes sir, they were. Local police believe that the bodies sat in the alleyways for about a week", Tusa recounted.

Reid stared up at the screen, saying, "The public may have just assumed that the bodies were homeless people".

"Oh how delicious", Byun stated, jerking her face away from her tablet, and sliding it across the table.

"Are the women connected in another way aside from that they're both brunettes"? Simmons asked.

"No, not really. Houston PD determined that they were both going to college. Marckus at the University of Texas , but Daniella was a student at Berkeley".

"That's quite a distance for her", Luke stated.

"Her trip was planned, someone knows about her whereabouts before she died. Have next of kin been contacted"? Hotchner asked, earning an overseeing gaze from Sena.

"Yes, they are flying down today", Tusa finalized.

"Aaron join us on this if you don't mind", Prentiss informs, "Let's get down there, wheels up in twenty".

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the-sara-voe · 3 years

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Chapter 1: An Old Friend

“All things remarkable are surprisingly simple; albeit difficult to find”.

-Criss Jami

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Despite his endeavors requiring him to travel by plane for years, David Rossi never found it easy to fall asleep in the air. The white noise that lulled Reid to close his eyes often left David's open. The sterile leather of the seats are too stiff for his aging back, but it did not bother Byun, the newest in the group. Rossi had yet to fully warm up to Sena Byun, mainly because she carries herself with arrogance, making it harder for him to be patient. However, Rossi wonders if that is just his age showing.

He is a man of many trades. Whether he is catching the bad guys, writing books, or lecturing to students. His well-used time saw many friends come and go. Even Prentiss's tolerance from over the years is wearing thin. Most people Rossi established a friendship with had left, perhaps it is time he moved on as well.

That or it could be his intuition, telling him to stay in D.C. when his foot hit the ladder of the jet a few days before. Some force pulled him to stay that time. There was a sense that Rossi was needed there more than for the case. This was not driven by fear, not this time. David could not help but think there was something important waiting for him at home.

"Hey, you want some coffee"? Prentiss stated, leaning on a seat across from David, on her way to the snack cart.

"No, thank you". He replied, looking to his left to face the window.

Prentiss asks him how he is doing. His delivery is distant, almost cold. This is not consistent with his personality, and with him being raised Italian Catholic.

Rossi sighs, still peering out the airplane window. The sky and earth match their black tint, the dark buildings twinkling with small lights. The lower his eyes travel D.C., the brighter the ground becomes. He prefers his peace and quiet, sitting in his boat, scanning for ducks through his gun scope. Rossi couldn't remember the last he went hunting. It is the one activity that drifted his mind away from criminology. The atmosphere on the water is perfect for cleansing his mind of the vile. He longed for the relief the activity provides.

David looks at her, giving her a small smile, "I have been at this for years. I think I should spend some time doing something else", Rossi states with full content, not just for the future, but for his past and present.

Prentiss shares a supportive, care-exuding grin. She nodded her head gently before saying, "I thought you might retire soon".

"I had a feeling that since four out of my six oldest's have left the job, dad should probably step down too".

Both of them chuckle, staying quiet since everyone else is asleep.

"Have you told anyone else"? Prentiss asked, now sitting in the seat in front of him.

"Well I just decided now", Rossi states, "so you're the first to know".

Prentiss still wears a comforting smile on her face, although her eyes blink away her uncertain thoughts. She cups her hands on the table and calmly starts, "I guess I should probably tell you before everyone else wakes up".

"You're leaving too"?

The question earns a soft laugh from Emily, "Not leaving leaving. How did you know"?

"A little birdy told me".

"JJ told you"?

"Just before she left for New Orleans, she said, 'Wish the new Director of the FBI luck for me'".

"She's too sweet", Prentiss admitted, adding, "this means we can plan barbecues more now".

The both of them grin at the thought, "only if you come with me on my post-retirement vacation", said Rossi.

Prentiss shakes her head, amused. Minutes are mere blinks for these two, and before they can wonder how Alvez sleeps with his head on the table, the pilot announces their landing.

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Everyone lumbers off the plane and scrapes the soles of their shoes against the ground, making their way toward the conference room. Sitting at the round table, tapping away on a tablet, is a woman. Her curly hair is alive and free. Her tortoiseshell glasses slip from her nose just slightly, until she looks up to greet her coworkers.

"Glad to see you all home safe", Tusajigwe stated, her Tanzanian accent coming through. Her parents must have visited since her accent is usually subtle. They primarily speak Swahili when they are all together.

Luke Alvez places his bags on the table and opens his arms out to Tusajigwe. "You didn't have to wait for me to come back, Chica".

The young technology analyst brings her palm in front of Luke, stopping his movements. She glances him up and down, saying in a teasing tone, "I don't wait for men, Chico. But I do wait for my roommate since she has the keys to my car".

Byun searches the pockets of her backpack before finding the keys. The two proceed to bicker back and forth before Simmons pipes in.

"You two are an old married couple".

"What can I say", Sena voiced, wrapping an arm around Tusajigwe, "Women who want to take down the patriarchy together, stick together".

Prentiss, Rossi, and even Reid are tickled by the three's silliness. They all secretly reflect on the earlier years when they had an eagerness but naivety to the job. They smile at the memories of being young.

The Three Musketeers, as Rossi called them, settled down when Tusajigwe Selemani asked Sena to go start the car outside.

"See you in a bit TuTu", Byun chimed, walking out of the conference room. Luke and Simmons, being gentlemen, walk with her. Despite her protests of being able to take down both of them if given the opportunity.

"I hate that she calls me that", Selemani chuckled, taking a seat again at the round table.

Spencer looks up with his bags in hand, "I think it's sweet", he said, before bidding everyone goodnight and exiting the room. Prentiss left for her office shortly after.

Rossi is about to do the same until Tusajigwe stood up.

"Rossi, there is someone waiting for you in your office".

"At one o'clock in the morning"? Rossi asked.

"I know it's late, but he has been here for hours waiting for you to get back. He actually came to see you the day you left for this last case".

"Who is he"?

"He said you two knew each other. His name is...", she paused finding the paper she wrote the information on, "Stephen Gideon''.

Rossi pauses. Stephen Gideon hadn’t been a subject of thought for a long time. They last saw each other at the funeral of Stephen's father, Jason. He was a hard loss for many, but Stephen struggled the most. His resentment toward Jason complicated Stephen’s grief. Rossi told Stephen that he would always be there if he needed anything. After all, Stephen was technically Rossi’s nephew. The two of them talked on the phone once a year if they caught each other, but it had been about two years since their last conversation.

Selemani looks at Rossi and asks if he is okay, if she did something wrong. Rossi reassured her that everything is fine, however, this may be something they keep between the two of them. If Stephen is coming to talk in person now after many years, it’s because something is amiss.

Rossi thanked Tusajigwe and bid her goodnight before swiftly walking toward his office. Softly, he opened the door, hoping to prevent the hinges from squeaking. The approach did not work.

Standing in the back of the room is Stephen. His hair is messy, unkept. He had a bit of a stubble that he scratched at gently, indicating that he is not used to the sensation. His eyes are bloodshot from lack of sleep.

"Stephen, sit down", Dave said calmly, nurturing. Rossi leaned on the front of his desk as Stephen took a seat in front of him. "What happened"?

Stephen's elbows sat on his knees as his hands wiped his face. He hadn't looked like this since Jason's funeral. Rossi's heart sank.

"I...", Stephen started, now looking to the side and rubbing his neck. "I was looking through some of my dad's stuff. The girls wanted to see the bird books..."

Rossi nodded, feeling the push and pull of Stephen's tension. Jason loved birds, and consequently, the Gideon grandkids take after their grandfather.

"We found a book that was just full of beautiful paintings of birds, and the kids and I were looking through it. We turned the page to look at this Robin painting, and I found an envelope with my name on it", Stephen still looked away from Rossi, his foot tapping nervously now.

"I didn't want to read it initially, I kept it in my office for a while. I finally got the courage to look at it and...well", Stephen took out the note from the breast pocket of his jacket. He hands it to Rossi saying, "Just look at it".

Rossi took the note, cautious and curious all at once. Unfolding the paper, he skimmed the text, before seeing a line he had to make sure of. Reading the few lines in depth again, his confusion is now certainty.

Surprise riddling his face, Rossi looks up at Stephen. In complete disbelief, delivering it more as a question, Rossi said something he never thought he would say.

"Jason Gideon has a daughter".

#criminal minds #jennifer jareau #penelope garcia #aaron hotchner #hotch #derek morgan #luke alvez #spencer reid #matthew gray gubler #mgg #matt simmons #jason gideon #david rossi #fanfiction

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the-sara-voe · 3 years

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Chapter 2: Leverage

Masterlist

David knows Jason meant what he wrote. Stephen knows it too, but Dave could tell that it pained him nonetheless.

Gideon had provided instructions in the letter. He asked that Rossi handle all the guesswork and that they both keep this a secret. David told Stephen to go home and try to relax, that he would handle all of it and let him know of any changes. He wanted to give Stephen some peace of mind regarding this, but if Rossi is being honest with himself, he is also driven by his own curiosity.

'This information can have severe consequences if the wrong people know about it'.

If there was anything David Rossi knew about his friend, it was that Jason Gideon never made it simple. Gideon always read between the lines, and he would expect someone else to do the same. However, the lack of assistance from law enforcement despite the connections Gideon had is off-putting. What kind of leverage did someone have over Gideon for him to want to keep this a secret?

'...he said I can’t tell anyone, because he wondered what she’d look like, with terror in her eyes...'.

This doesn’t make sense. Gideon was never afraid of an suspect. He never thirsted for superiority or intimidation. He only sought to understand, and to find justice through those means. Why now would he be afraid?

And how did Jason keep this a secret? Gideon was a private man, but when Jason found out about Stephen he was over-the-moon thrilled and did not hide it easily. Sure he was silent about it most days, but David caught him several times looking at an ultrasound picture he kept in his wallet. Gideon loved kids, and when he was having some of his own he beamed at the thought of them. How would he have been able to sit quietly, and have no one notice? Unless.

He didn't know about her.

Which begs a bigger question. If Gideon didn’t know about his little girl, how the hell did a suspect, who clearly had unfinished business with Gideon, know?

Rossi reread the note over and over at his desk. A photograph accompanied the letter. It is a newborn, all swaddled and bundled, with a simple knit beanie on her head. She is a smaller newborn, probably six pounds. Gideon had mentioned that she and Stephen looked similar as babies, specifically in the chin. David couldn't help but notice too.

'Her name is Harper'.

She looked like a Harper. Her baby picture is grainy, and although all newborns tend to look the same, Rossi knows she grew into her name well. She had these round, light-colored eyes, and dark brown hair. David did not know the girl or what she looks like now, but he is already attached to her. He has a feeling she is a lot like his friend, and he would like to get to know a piece of him again.

The problem is, Gideon did not leave a lot of clues. David has her first name and a gritty picture. The letter was written ages ago. If Harper was in any kind of danger, who knows if Harper is even in danger anymore. For all Rossi knows, although hesitant to think it, Harper could be dead.

David held the envelope in his hand until a knocking came from the other side of his door.

"Rossi", Tusajigwe greeted, opening the door.

"Come in, Selemani. Close the door if you don't mind".

She takes a seat in front of his desk. Her posture is rigid today, and her eyes prodding at the letter in David's hand. He knows she wants to ask questions about last night. He folds it up and places the letter in his breast pocket.

"Did he give that to you"? She asked, her grip loosening on the files in her hand.

"Yes, he did. Did you tell anyone about his visit"?

"No sir. But I want to know why it is important not to talk about it".

David leaned back in his chair, his fingers interlace in his lap. In the few months she has worked at the Bureau, Tusa has become a trusted confidant. One thing David appreciates about Selemani is that she knows when information needs to be kept secret. But he did not know how trustworthy she could be with a matter like this one.

He let out a sigh before speaking, "Stephen is my best friend's son. His name was Jason. Jason was killed several years ago".

Tusajigwe nods compassionately, sending her condolences.

"He needed my advice about something. He wants to keep it private", Rossi started, gazing down at the envelope.

"Of course".

They stare blankly at each other for several moments. Selemani's face lies stoic, but her eyes are bright. Her eyes flicker at his jacket, where the letter sits. Tusa knows he is hiding something. Her inquisitiveness reminded Rossi of his daughter. It is probably why they get along so well.

"Well, I have data to transfer, case files to sort through", she stated, standing to leave Rossi's office.

He held the door open for her as she exits. Selemani bids him farewell, returning to her MadLab, as she so affectionately calls it. In the meantime, Rossi ignores the case files on his desk, in preference to the letter in his jacket.

His analysis is interrupted by passersby mumblings about Stephen Gideon. He looks up, seeing two older coworkers lowering their heads as soon as Rossi noticed them. Even if Tusa had kept it a secret, secretaries would have discussed his arrival. It is only a matter of time before others ask.

#criminal minds #jennifer jareau #david rossi #spencer reid #aaron hotchner #derek morgan #penelope garcia #luke alvez #emily prentiss #matt simmons #jason gideon #matthew gray gubler #mgg #fanfic #criminal minds fanfic #wheels up

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