Tangled Up in You (The Story of Us Book 2)

Chapter 16- Bias

TW: Mentions of child abuse & suicidal thoughts

Again cover credit goes to the amazing @-gxiltypleasure

Everyone does their thing until there is another murder. Amanda leaves with Hotch and Joyner where they meet Morgan, Rossi, and Prentiss at the scene. Morgan makes a comment about how they won't be able to get an angle on the killer's face and Joyner is quick to snub him.

"Let's not be too quick to determine what we do and don't have." With that, she pushes away, leaving the detective to make a joke as Amanda glares at her brother.

"I see you haven't mentioned being personable yet. Maybe hurry on that one, Aaron," she suggests as Morgan looks at the siblings with a frown.

"You mind telling me why I'm catching attitude from her?"

"That would be because they want to can her to give you the job. Very unprofessional of her if you ask me," Amanda states, looking to her brother. "Maybe mention that too or I might suggest she be removed with or without solving this case. I don't like when people go after my friends." With that, she walks away, leaving Aaron to attempt to defend Kate to Morgan by telling him that he's at the top of the list to replace her so she's upset.

They find a tarot card of death reminding them of the DC sniper which brings Joyner to speak. "So the unsub must see himself in that role. He's thriving off creating panic."

"Not necessarily," Amanda tells her, speaking in the same condescending tone she had spoken to Morgan in. "The card could merely be a distraction from their real goal. Let's not be too quick to determine what we do and don't know." Rossi stifles a laugh before pointing out that it means the unsub studies other cases and wants them to know that he knows they are there.

Amanda agrees and they head to their cars to her back to the FBI when Hotch stops his sister. "What happened to being professional?"

"I don't have to be professional, Aaron. My job is secure, but if she keeps treating Morgan like shit, hers won't be," she threatens, pushing past him to catch a ride with Rossi and Morgan. When they get back, they discover that there is more than one unsub making them think something like a gang initiation.

Joyner asks if they have enough for a profile and Aaron agrees, telling Rossi and Reid to give it to the agents and Morgan and Prentiss to the police. Morgan suggests that they should send people to the streets but Joyner refuses, beginning to upset him before Amanda grabs his arm, shaking her head no when he tries to argue after Hotch tells him it's not his call. Amanda waits for everyone to leave before turning to Agent Joyner.

"I don't like you," she begins. "And I can see why the brass wants to fire you and I just want to let you know that with a single phone call I can make that happen. You may have brought us in but with this being an FBI matter and a case of serial killings, it's within our jurisdiction to stay unless the local PD kicks the FBI off the case so I suggest you stop acting like you're in charge here. I happen to think Derek's idea is a good one and I can tell that you do as well yet you're letting your bias get in the way. I suggest you work on that or you won't be getting relocated, you'll be getting fired."

Once she's done, she doesn't give her a chance to speak before leaving and heading to the hotel. When they get there, they see Will and JJ reveals that she's pregnant to everyone but refuses to not work the case, much to Will's dismay. In the morning, everyone delivers the profile as Hotch told them. After they finish, Joyner pulls Aaron aside.

"What can you tell me about the blonde agent. The one that's overly protective of Derek Morgan?"

"Amanda?" Hotch wonders, realizing that he must not have introduced her when they arrived.