In Between

25. Fourth of July

Previously: Rossi threw his retirement party and JJ and Emily got engaged!

You've been at the BAU for about four months now. Hotch called you a few days ago because there was a case. So, you did your usual morning routine, re-packed your go-bag and let Harley out. Penelope offered to take care of her while you were gone.

You and Spencer had grabbed breakfast at Dunk's before heading to the BAU. Once you and Spencer arrived, you both headed straight to the conference room so the case could be presented.

In Florida, there were reports of mysterious deaths every couple of years. There was one woman who seemed to be connected to all the cases though, a Gloria Green. The first victim was her first husband Jonathan Mitchell, then her Mother Gloria Timm, her daughters Josie and Alexandra, her father Jonathan Timm, her son Henry, her second husband Michael, her fiancé Paul six years later, then six other people.

Once you and the team had landed in Florida, it was straight to work. Surprisingly it didn't take long to convict Gloria. Hotch had ordered a warrant so you and the team could look around her property. Sure enough, you found arsenic under her mattress. In all the autopsies of her victims, traces of arsenic was found. She would poison them and take care of the victims until they died.

She was arrested on her 37th birthday, and got the death sentence. Everyone made it back
home on July third, and Rossi planned a Fourth of July party. You decided you were going to wear something casual but went along with red, white and blue. You picked out small red hair bow clips, a white blouse, and blue jeans along with a pair of Converse.

You and Spencer went to bed like normal, but you had a nightmare. You couldn't remember the last time you had one. This time it wasn't about Nick, or what he did to you, it was something totally bizarre.

The Dream, in your POV

I've been in this position before, just a different point of view. The first time it was me, I was the one who got shot and Spencer was the one who witnessed everything. And now, I witnessed him getting shot. Except we weren't alone. Spencer had tried to calm down the unsub, but obviously was unsuccessful. Everything happened so fast. Spencer had put away his gun to show the unsub he wasn't a threat. The unsub took his last bullet and shot it in Spencer's chest. Derek had caught and cuffed him when he tried to run away. When the unsub was caught, I ran straight to Spencer and immediately applied pressure to the wound. I could hear him gasping for air. I assured him he'd be okay, someone was already calling the medics. I couldn't lose him. I just couldn't. I told him to stay awake and he did for as long as he could. Then he mumbled something. I leaned closer to his ear so I could hear him better.

"I love thee with a love that shall not die, till the sun grows cold and the stars grow old."
- William Shakespeare

He was doing the same thing I did. When I did it, I didn't think I could hold out much longer. With tears in my eyes I said, "Spencer Walter Reid, you are not giving up." His eyes begin to slowly fall. I kept applying pressure as hard as I could until the medics arrived. I stayed with him in the ambulance, I stayed with him until I couldn't anymore. I was forced to sit in the waiting area. I kept looking at the blood on my hands. I kept messing with my engagement ring. My heart kept breaking, little by little. Part of me was angry because he didn't wear a bulletproof vest, but another part was filled with sorrow because he's hurt. I did something I never usually do, I prayed. I prayed for him to be okay, I prayed that the surgery was successful, I prayed that we'd be able to walk out of the hospital together. A few hours later, the doctor came and found me. When the doctor told me the outcome, tears welled in my eyes and my heart sank. He was gone. The love of my life, gone with an instant. He was always there to comfort you through tough times, but how the hell am I supposed to get through this? I loved him with every fiber of my being. That morning I had found out I was pregnant. I was waiting to tell him after the case was done, when we were safe and relaxed.