Cold Hands ✔️

twenty five

chapter 25; les i'm miserable

The team was sitting in their seats, watching the conference screen as Garcia typed out the email Hotch was telling her. We were going with my idea of reaching out to her, and while we waited for a response we had to tell the team what we thought of. I was nervous for our plan, I hoped that it worked how we wanted and didn't backfire on us. We don't need unnecessary blood spilt because of our mistakes.

"Okay, send that at 11:16 exactly. That's the date they had their car accident." Hotch told her. Luckily we didn't have to wait long, but the team stayed silent as we watched the clock tick by. Three minutes seemed to stretch on as we were all staring at the clock, not wanting to miss it. Details were important and will show the Raven the attention we are showing. After what seemed like ages, the clock turned and Garcia sent the email. The tension in the room eased slightly as we all turned towards each other.

"Now that that is sent, here's the dealio," I told the team, trying to adopt a more authoritative tone that didn't show my nervousness.

"When she calls, Reid will answer and talk only. She wants to make this personal with me, but we won't let that happen. Hopefully not having contact with me will make her more aggravated. Reid," I addressed him from across the table.

"You need to address her by Ms. Ivy or Belladonna only. Do not use the moniker 'Raven'. That was self-penned and distances herself from her crimes. We are talking with Belladonna, not the Raven. If you do talk about it, demean it. We want to get her on the defensive and off-foot, so tread carefully. We want her flustered and angered, but not so angered that she can retaliate and kill. Ask questions about why she's doing this, and what she hopes to gain. Got it?" 

Reid nodded in response, his gaze hard and calculating. 

"The rest of us need to analyze what she's saying. Garcia will track and trace and hopefully get us a location. We are paying attention to the language she uses and to anything in the background we might be able to discern." The team responded with nods , everyone watching the phone.

An hour passed with no call. People had gone and gotten files and brought them into the room to work on. Pen scratches, paper rustling and Garcia's typing were the only sounds in the room, everyone too nervous to talk. I stood up and walked out towards the coffee pot, rubbing my eyes as I waited for the cup to fill.

I'm so tired. I really hope this works. It will be nice to come to work and focus on a serial killer in another state. Between the Raven, Reid and Harper, I can't handle being pulled in multiple directions. I let out a sigh of relief when I smelled the coffee.

"It's not good coffee, but it will do." I spun around to find Hotch standing there with his coffee cup. I laughed slightly and turned back around, watching the cup fill.

"Just the smell alone is enough to keep me awake, although the bitter taste will do that job as well."

Hotch leaned against the counter and looked out towards the empty office as he waited his turn.

"Reid will be okay, he will do everything you've asked." I knew this, and I nodded in response.

"I know that." I softly said, picking up my cup. The steam billowed in my face as I moved down the counter, picking up the additions I needed to make my coffee at least drinkable.

"We've all had our villains, Adeline. You aren't the first and you won't be the last. The team doesn't hate you for this, they would do anything to protect one of their own. And that's what you are, you're a part of this family." Hotch played with the coffee machine, his voice serious.

I hadn't thought that for a while. Hotch always had a way of telling you exactly what you need to hear. I guess I was feeling a little guilty about bringing the team into this. They also lost sleep and had many late hours at the office as well. I couldn't thank them enough. I guess after all this is done I can at least treat them to a round of drinks.

"And logically I know that. I know that the FBI has enemies and always will, and I know that the team would do anything for each other. But it's hard to shake this feeling of guilt. I came into this team and then immediately brought a problem and asked for everyone to devote all their time and energies. I feel bad." I leaned against the counter and looked over to the conference room.

"Bad things will always happen to this team. It's something we make aware when we hire. Family isn't who you are born with, it's who you'd die for. And everyone in this team would protect the others in a second. You are no different." Hotch gave me a reassuring look as he finished getting his coffee.

"Come back in the room when you're ready." And with that he left the break area and went back to the conference room.

"He's so fatherly, isn't he?" I smiled and turned to Harper. I nodded and sipped my coffee before responding.

"He is. He always knows what to say to make you feel better."

"He should've been a poet, I feel like he has a wise way with words."

"A poet? No I don't think so, I think he's perfect in this job. He is a natural born leader." I started walking slowly back towards the conference room, Harper appearing next to me.

"Do you agree with him?"

"With what?"

"With him saying that the team would do anything for you." She said, looking over at me. I didn't need to think about it as I nodded in response.

"I do. I can see their loyalty and love in everything they do, this really is like a second family, or for some of us our only family. I understand that." I bounded up the steps to the conference room.

"That's good, you deserve friends and people who love you." I stopped with my hand on the handle and looked at Harper. 

"Thank you." She smiled at me and for a second, everything felt normal. It felt like Harper was really here, and my heart felt heavy in my chest. This must be what it feels like to be exactly where you should be. I let out a heavy breath and turned the handle. I wasn't even a step into the room when the phone rang.

"Alright everyone, let's go." Hotch told the team.

~~~

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