Polar Opposites ~ Aaron Hotchner

Chapter 7

"The bomb is now reported to have been inside an SUV. A black SUV parked just blocks from 26 Federal Plaza," My heart lodges in my throat as the news goes through the radio. I flick the switch for the sirens and Derek hauls ass.

"Please don't let anyone be dead, please don't let anyone be dead," I whisper to myself, praying that everyone is alive and well. I quickly pick up Derek's cellphone as it begins the ring. "Hey, we're good,"

"Yes, you are. Thank god," Penelope's voice speaks from the other end, relief washing over her tone.

"We're almost back at the Federal building. What the hell is going on?"

"We're going over the closed-circuit footage right now,"

"Who else have you checked?" I shift in my seat, my nerves still on overdrive.

"You guys are the first. Rossi and Reid called me,"

"Keep us on the line while you check in on everyone else," Derek yells over the sound of sirens so Penelope can hear him.

"Focus on driving Derek," I say absentmindedly as I wait to hear another voice.

"Is everyone okay?" I sigh in relief as I hear Emily's frantic voice join the call.

"I've spoken to Rossi and Reid, Morgan and Abbi are on the line,"

"Em, where are you?" I inquire, shifting in my seat once more.

"I'm following Detective Brustin to one of the NYPD's Critical Incident Command Posts,"

"One of them?" Penelope asks.

"After 9/11 they decentralized. They had way too many eggs in one basket on that day," Derek explains as he continues to swerve between cars.

"Has anyone talked to JJ?"

"She was headed back to the hotel," Emily answers, the sound of sirens on her end coming through alongside her voice.

"In an SUV?" Penelope asks.

"Oh god please no," I whisper, my voice cracking slightly.

"I think so,"

"Stay with me, I'm gonna dial her mobile,"

"This is Agent Jareau, Communications Director for the FBI's behavioural--"

"What was that what happened?" I ask frantically, the sound of JJ's voicemail igniting another flame of fear inside me.

"It went dead mid-message,"

"Try her again. She's probably back at the--" Emily's voice cuts out as well.

"Emily?" Penelope questions, sounding confused at what's happening. The sound of beeping is the only thing I hear.

"Penelope? Penelope? Shit!" I punch the dashboard in agitation, tears burning my eyes at the fact that one of us could be out there dying.

"Hey, breathe. What happened?"

"It cut out. We have to get down there," I hold onto the armrest and Derek does a sharp turn. I keep my eyes closed, mumbling every prayer I know and every bible scripture that pops into my head. The car stops and my eyes open to see a barricade. I hop out of the car Derek doing the same.

We both flash our badges so they know we're not civilians. "Hey. Hey! Who's in charge?"

"Captain Warner," The officer points us to someone else. I quickly run over.